Stage Lighting Course

Lesson 1 • Safety and Power Fundamentals

Introduces electrical safety, load calculations, and rigging weight limits for lighting equipment. Safe practices established here are reinforced throughout every hands-on chapter.

Lesson 2 • Fixture Types and Their Uses

Surveys conventional, LED, moving-head, and specialty fixtures. Students match fixture categories to common show applications based on output characteristics.

Lesson 3 • Core Industry Terminology

Defines standard terms used on production calls, plots, and cue sheets. Accurate terminology enables clear communication with directors, riggers, and board operators.

Lesson 1 • Front Lighting Techniques

Examines front-of-house angles, including flat front and angled front, and their effect on facial visibility. Connects angle choice to audience sightlines and venue geometry.

Lesson 2 • Side and Cross Lighting

Covers shin busters, boom arms, and high-side positions used to sculpt performers. Demonstrates how cross light creates depth and separates subjects from the background.

Lesson 3 • Back and Top Lighting

Explains how back light and top light create separation and three-dimensionality. Students practise positioning to avoid spill onto the audience or cyclorama.

Lesson 1 • Colour Palettes for Show Genres

Applies colour theory to drama, musical theatre, concert, and corporate show contexts. Students build genre-appropriate palettes and justify choices against production goals.

Lesson 2 • LED Colour Engine Operation

Explains RGBW, RGBA, and full-spectrum LED engines and how to programme accurate colour values. Addresses common LED colour-matching challenges when mixing with conventional sources.

Lesson 3 • Gel Selection and Handling

Covers gel families, transmission percentages, and physical handling to maximise lifespan. Students select gels that achieve target colours while managing intensity loss.

Lesson 1 • DMX Protocol and Signal Flow

Explains DMX512 addressing, universes, and signal chain from console to fixture. Correct signal flow understanding prevents patching errors and data loss during shows.

Lesson 2 • Network-Based Control Protocols

Introduces Art-Net, sACN, and RDM as modern alternatives to single-cable DMX runs. Students configure a basic network to distribute DMX over Ethernet infrastructure.

Lesson 3 • Console Architecture and Layout

Introduces fader wings, executor buttons, touchscreens, and programmer windows common to professional consoles. Familiarity with layout accelerates hands-on programming speed.

Lesson 1 • Effects and Chase Programming

Introduces built-in effects engines, chases, and pixel mapping for dynamic looks. Students programme effects that enhance energy without distracting from the performance.

Lesson 2 • Groups, Palettes, and Presets

Explains how groups, position palettes, colour palettes, and beam palettes accelerate programming. Reusable palettes reduce reprogramming time when design changes occur.

Lesson 3 • Timing, Fades, and Delays

Covers fade time, delay time, and split fade (in/out) parameters for smooth transitions. Students match cue timing to musical phrases and dramatic beats.

Lesson 4 • Recording and Editing Cues

Teaches how to record, update, and delete cues with correct tracking and block settings. Proper cue structure prevents unintended state changes during playback.

Lesson 1 • Integrating Moving Lights with Conventional Rigs

Addresses colour matching, intensity balancing, and timing coordination between fixture types. Seamless integration requires understanding each fixture's output characteristics.

Lesson 2 • Position Programming Techniques

Covers fan, spread, and individual position programming for moving fixtures. Students create position palettes that allow rapid repositioning during rehearsal changes.

Lesson 3 • Gobo and Beam Effects

Teaches gobo selection, rotation speed, and layering with colour for textured looks. Students design gobo-based environments that support the show's visual narrative.

Lesson 1 • Design Documentation and Archiving

Covers final paperwork, show files, and archiving practices for future remounts. Complete documentation protects the design and enables other operators to run the show.

Lesson 2 • Light Plot Creation

Covers drafting a light plot with accurate fixture symbols, positions, and circuit data. A clear plot is the primary communication tool between the designer and the crew.

Lesson 3 • Tech Rehearsal and Notes

Explains how to run a tech rehearsal, take notes, and implement changes efficiently. Students practise prioritising fixes under time pressure without disrupting the rehearsal flow.

Lesson 4 • Script and Score Analysis

Teaches how to extract lighting cues, mood shifts, and time-of-day references from a script. Analysis drives all subsequent design decisions and prevents reactive programming.

Lesson 1 • Operator Mindset and Preparation

Builds the mental habits of pre-show checks, contingency planning, and focused attention. Prepared operators prevent most failures before the audience arrives.

Lesson 2 • Real-Time Cue Execution

Covers calling cues from a script, responding to stage manager calls, and manual overrides. Precise execution timing is the primary skill that separates professional operators.

Lesson 3 • Console Failure and Backup Systems

Addresses console crashes, network dropouts, and the use of backup consoles or static states. Students configure and test a backup system before every production.